I Became a Slave to the Man I Abandoned Novel (Completed) - Chapter 108

The ornate chandelier looked like mere splinters of wood. Each crystal, like shards of glass, and the gleaming gold seemed unusually insignificant today. Yet, none of the nobles noticed, too busy chattering amongst themselves.

Rumors that His Majesty the Emperor was reinstating the slave spread quickly among the nobility. From whispers that the Emperor had finally lost his mind to claims that the slave had finally charmed the Emperor.

But the Emperor’s answer was something no one had expected.

Marquis Valtias Deron had embezzled Nox Rainerio’s merits!

The shocking news sent ripples through high society.

“Is it true that Valtias Deron’s mansion burned down?” “They say he died by His Majesty’s hand…” “Really? I heard he took his own life as soon as he was exposed.”

No one knew the exact circumstances. The only certainty was that Nox Rainerio was no longer a slave.

But did it even matter?

Nobles never used something once it had been tainted. Their gaze upon a person who had fallen to rock bottom was the same.

Time passed quickly, and the banquet hall filled with nobles, more lavishly dressed than ever, their chins held high.

Tonight’s banquet was packed, as every invited noble attended. It was, of course, an unmissable spectacle.

The reinstatement of Nox Rainerio, the circus show of the Emperor’s and the Duke’s sex slave regaining his status. From nobles who loved gossip to prominent figures who rarely attended parties, everyone was present.

The nobles, who had only heard rumors, finally had a chance to see for themselves and chattered incessantly.

“What kind of person was Nox Rainerio originally?” someone asked. Nox Rainerio’s life as a slave, short yet long in its impact, was definitely a hot topic among the nobles, so many didn’t remember the Nox before.

The eldest son of the Duke of Rainerio. A mysterious young master who rarely appeared at official functions. When he did appear, the atmosphere around him would calm, and his cool, almost aloof demeanor was well-known. There were quite a few who looked up to him. But what had he been just recently?

Merely the Emperor’s and the Duke’s sex slave. When all was said and done, he was just another human, no different from anyone else. The sneers on the lips of the nobles who came to witness this spectacle were palpable.

“He certainly degraded himself… Is this what comes from being so ‘favored’?” “They say he gained favor even with His Majesty the Emperor, not just the Duke. So he can commit treason and still reclaim his dukedom?” “It was publicly announced that he once saved His Majesty’s life. If that were true, why was he misunderstood and made a slave?” “It’s all just excuses, my dear. Aren’t you too naive?”

When the Emperor announced the banquet to celebrate Nox’s reinstatement, he also widely publicized what Nox had done. However, not many believed his words wholeheartedly.

No one cared that a Marquis had died by his hand and gone unpunished. After all, that Marquis rarely appeared at banquets or official functions, drawing no attention despite being a close aide to the Emperor. Emperor Feltion had also deliberately refrained from mentioning his death.

Valtias Deron, he was a noble even before becoming a Marquis. Therefore, the fact that Nox had killed a noble while still a slave did him no good. The Emperor tried his best to divert people’s attention to the banquet. Valtias thus met a death unnoticed by anyone. Such a pathetic death, recognized by no one.

The nobles gathered in a corner of the banquet hall, giggling amongst themselves. No one paid them any mind. Rather, people leaned in to listen to their conversations, quickly covering their mouths with fans. There was no way to hide their twisted smiles, so covering them with a fan was the best they could do.

A Duke! Even if he was originally from a ducal family, to give the ducal title back to someone who had once fallen to the status of a slave!

Some nobles couldn’t comprehend this decision. If there was merit, a new title should be granted according to that merit. But to return the ducal title, which was at the very top of all noble ranks? Unlike the family’s rebellion, the nobles were not interested in the merits Nox Rainerio personally achieved. They were, quite literally, consumed by envy and jealousy.

Nevertheless, the banquet to celebrate Nox’s regaining the Rainerio name began. This was a gathering approved by all of the Emperor’s close aides. Those who still remembered the bloodbath that occurred when the current Emperor ascended to the throne remained silent, observing the situation. Those who didn’t remember spoke carelessly.

“His Grace, Duke Khalid Via, enters!”

And cutting through their chatter was a voice. Khalid Via, a man deeply connected to Nox Rainerio, who was now the subject of their incessant gossip. Khalid Via still attended parties without a partner. This was partly by his own choice, and partly because no one could easily approach him.

To the nobles, Khalid was, quite literally, a dilemma—like a “chicken rib” (something that offers little but is hard to discard). He was a man they couldn’t marry off to their daughters, nor easily befriend. Yet, he was a threat if he aligned himself with someone else.

“Oh, he came alone again today.” “Well, with that slave around, would any other woman even catch his eye?” “But that’s only until today, isn’t it?” “I suppose so?”

Then someone interjected into their conversation. “Rumor has it he still hasn’t forgotten that slave.”

“My dear sir, ‘slave’? To someone who will be reinstated today…” “He hasn’t been formally reinstated, so isn’t he still a slave?” The gentleman with a thin mustache made no effort to conceal his vulgar smile. Someone else asked, “But what do you mean, ‘he hasn’t forgotten’? Surely he only used him because he was easy to toy with. If not, then…”

His tone implied that Khalid had given his heart, which was ridiculous. A noble loving a slave? Such a thing was unheard of. The gentleman continued, “How utterly captivated must he have been to be unable to forget a man’s body? I am most curious about his secret.”

Someone, infected by his vulgarity, replied, “My dear sir, if you’re so curious, why don’t you ask him directly when he arrives?”

“Hahaha, I suppose I should. I am curious about myself.”

They freely mocked Nox. It was natural for the sound to reach Khalid’s ears as he settled into a suitable spot. Khalid began to move, naturally heading toward those exchanging vulgar remarks. Engrossed in their own conversation, they didn’t notice him approaching. Only the surrounding nobles turned their heads, subtly backing away.

“It seems my name is being spoken,” Khalid said.

“…Ah.”

“…Your Grace, the Duke.”

“You were speaking so joyfully that it reached my ears.”

“Ah, no. It was just a trivial conversation.”

“Oh, a trivial conversation about me?”

“Th-that is…”

The mustachioed gentleman, who had been speaking so freely, stammered. He trembled, avoiding eye contact like a small animal. Khalid was irritated that Nox was being spoken of by such scum. And the fact that it was his fault for it made him despair.

“One should not say things they cannot take responsibility for.”

“…”

“You have a look of dissatisfaction.”

“Ah, no, not at all.”

Khalid stood there, his gaze sweeping over each of them, committing their faces to memory. With each flicker of his eyes, they flinched. He remained silently before them, maintaining an uncomfortable quiet, then walked past without a word. He would deal with them all later.

As his chilling gaze passed over them, they naturally dispersed. Some harbored resentment. He’s just a Duke obsessed with a male slave, after all, and the one being reinstated is merely a former slave. The fact that Nox was originally the only son of a ducal family had been erased from their minds by their fury.

“His Imperial Majesty, the Illustrious Sun of the Empire, the Emperor, enters!”

The gatekeeper’s booming cry split the crowd in two. The Emperor, stepping onto the red carpet laid down the center, looked more majestic than ever. His unusually swift appearance at such a banquet was likely for Nox Rainerio, who was to be reinstated today.

Nox Rainerio hadn’t even entered the banquet hall yet. Some whispered that he was afraid, while others gossiped that the Duke and the Emperor were protecting him.

The Emperor openly frowned at the whispers. As soon as he seemed displeased, everyone sealed their lips. After all, he was the one who had murdered his own brother and ascended the throne in a bloody coronation. It was unwise to displease him.

The Emperor walked down the central aisle and took his seat at the head of the hall. The banquet music had yet to begin, and the nobles held their breath. Khalid stood near the Emperor’s seat, looking up at him. Feltion, having confirmed Khalid’s presence, called his chief chamberlain and whispered to him. The Emperor’s chief chamberlain nodded, then stepped forward and announced,

“By the Emperor’s command, Nox Rainerio shall enter!”